(CNN) - Saying "emotions are running high," Republican Gov. Rick Scott of Florida formally called for a "Statewide Day of Prayer for Unity," following last week's verdict in the George Zimmerman trail that's sparked large protests in the Sunshine State.

The day of prayer is set for Sunday.
Read the proclamation:

WHEREAS, the people of Florida are strong and optimistic people who band together in times of crisis; and

WHEREAS, Florida has faced many challenges before – including natural disasters – with a spirit of unity and perseverance; and

WHEREAS, the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is a tragedy; and the Martin family, the family of George Zimmerman, and all those affected by Trayvon's death remain in our thoughts and prayers; and

WHEREAS, emotions are running high as we continue to grieve the loss of Trayvon and the toll that the tragic events surrounding his death have taken on the community of Sanford, Florida, and other communities across our state; and

WHEREAS, tragic events compel us to a time of deep reflection and prayer to find strength and peace in uncertainty; and

WHEREAS, Floridians are unified in not only their resilience, but also in being a people of great humility, kindness, and compassion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby declare
Sunday, July 21, 2013, as a STATEWIDE DAY OF PRAYER FOR UNITY IN FLORIDA.

Late Thursday night, Scott told a group of protesters that he planned on calling for the day of prayer. But he added he had no plans to amend his state's controversial "stand your ground" law.

"I put together a task force of 19 individuals, bipartisan. They traveled the state. They listened to ordinary citizens. They listened to experts, and they concluded that we didn't need to make a change in the law, and I agree with their conclusion," he said.

Zimmerman pointed to Florida's "stand your ground" law as part of his legal defense, saying he shot Trayvon Martin while defending himself in a confrontation.

soundoff(69 Responses)

Fair is Fair

"The Pennsylvania GOP knew that roughly 700,000 people did not have the proper ID, most of whom were people likely to vote Demoratic. The IDs were made available through DMV offices statewide. The GOP controlled legislature then reduced the hours and the budget of DMV offices. Prior to passing the law, the state budget had enough funds to produce approximately 70,000 new IDs for the year. The reduced to budget to fund only 30,000 IDs, when they knew that as many as 700,000 could be needed."
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Cite your sources.

July 19, 2013 01:30 pm at 1:30 pm |

Lionel

The life of a black teenager is worthless than the life of a dog in Florida. Very Sad.

Mike Vick was sent to jail for having fighting dogs. I don't condone this but just saying that G. Zimmerman got to no time for killing an unarmed teenager. The system in itself is not fair.

July 19, 2013 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |

Rudy NYC

M.A.P. wrote:

... Yes George followed Treyvon while he thought he was up to no good – perhaps he was wrong to do so, but are you saying you know for a fact that TRayvon didn't attack George? ....
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We don't even know for a fact that Trayvon Martin did attack Zimmerman. If GZ could have proven that TM attacked him first, then he would have requested a SYG hearing, been exonerated, and walked. But, he didn't because he couldn't.

July 19, 2013 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |

Wes

Only in America can a Hispanic shoot a Black and White people are called racists.

July 19, 2013 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |

tom l.

I find it highly ironic that the African American community would be against the SYG law. Considering there are so many who will say that they police don't come to defend an African American who calls the police, why wouldn't you want them to be able to protect themselves. I mean, since all cops are racists according to all the liberals here, shouldn't they be able to defend themselves since the cops won't come to protect them?
I don't know the answer to this but I would really like to know how many instances there are of a white person shooting an African American utilizing the SYG defense. What I have read that the only increase in deaths using SYG has been to whites. Let's try and inform ourselves please.

July 19, 2013 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |

Sniffit

"why wouldn't you want them to be able to protect themselves. "

Self defense already was and always has been a defense to charges of assault, battery, manslaughter, etc. SYG was unnecessary and represents both a broadening of the opportunities to claim and abuse that defense AND an obfuscation of the whole issue. It's bad law, first because it's unnecessary and second because it's broken.

July 19, 2013 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

Sniffit

"Cite your sources."

Those numbers were in the MSM pervasively in the lead up to the election and in the numerous stories covering PA's attempts to suppress minority and "urban" voter turnout. They aren't controversial or fake or up for question. In fact, the number was more like 750,000, not 700,000.

July 19, 2013 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |

just sayin

the demor cats and left in this country are advocating for the lay there and be killed law. it makes it much easier for their criminal supporters to make a living mugging and killing us.

July 19, 2013 02:20 pm at 2:20 pm |

it must be said

The racially divisive policies of the far left will eventually destroy this country.

This GOP loser and tea bag supporter will be out with most of the rest of these GOP freaks in Florida , we didnt forget the lines you casused in your effort to rigg the election for Romney the tax cheat and all your cuts to education and healthcare!!!!

July 19, 2013 02:39 pm at 2:39 pm |

Joi Gibson

I seriously doubt you are grieving the death of young Mr. Martin. My fellow Floridians, even if we have to stand in line for ten hours, please vote this man out of office in 2014. While a day of prayer is a nice gesture, addressing the SYG law is what is needed. That law needs to be reformed – i.e., don't start a confrontation and then claim you were scared for your life. I continue to ask, did anyone think that maybe young Mr. Martin was scared poopless because he was being followed. Mr. Zimmerman could have introduced himself -what is so hard about that. – he could have stayed in his car. No one is giving that child the benefit of the doubt and that is truly sad.

All your new religious balony wont save you Scott , or the other GOP garbage in the 2014 midterms!!!!

July 19, 2013 02:43 pm at 2:43 pm |

Rudy NYC

Fair is Fair demanded.

Cite your sources.
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For what. You never do it. I tell people how to find the info I cite all of the time. But, I will remain consitent and give you a web search so that you can find it for yourself. " pennsylvania state budget cuts dmv ". If you find PA's Department of Transportaton of page, click the "Voter ID". It tells you about all of the wonderful changes that they have made. Other results take you to the state budget for various years.

Rick Scott is just an out of touch,delushional idiot..Ever since his inaugeration he's been against anything vital in helping Florida back on its feet from turning down a multi billion dollar high speed rail bill to saying no to the ACA bill than changing his mind to yes just to appease his future voters...But even his republican cohorts don't trust or like him so like many governors especially the republican ones at midterms it'll be time for them to go!!

July 19, 2013 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |

California Gary

@Steveo...........a jury said OJ was not a murderer either........did it make it true because the jury said so?

July 19, 2013 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |

rs

it must be said

The racially divisive policies of the far left will eventually destroy this country.
_______________________________
Which party passed the STG laws?
Which party is (as we write) doing everything in their power to take away voting rights of minorities?
Which party paints the first Black President of the United States as the Joker, or in blackface?

July 19, 2013 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

Anonymous

just sayin
the demor cats and left in this country are advocating for the lay there and be killed law.

What on earth is your point? It can't have escaped your notice that there are those on the right who are blaming TM for standing HIS ground against a man following him for no reason.